The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board (formerly the Reedy Creek Improvement District) held a meeting on April 26th, 2023, where they declared that agreements previously entered into by Disney and the former Reedy Creek Board were void.
Reedy Creek
This was apparently the final straw for Disney, who was primed and ready to file a federal lawsuit. The company has alleged that DeSantis has waged a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power” over them. And then, in a meeting on May 1st, the new District Board voted to sue Disney in state court — which was apparently news to the Florida governor.
Following the news of the recent lawsuit, the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board held a meeting on the morning of May 1st, 2023.
The May 1st meeting agenda had only one item, which read, “Board discussion and direction to litigation counsel and authorization to defend District officials sued in official capacities.” The meeting itself was fairly short, and there was one main result — the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board has announced its own lawsuit against Disney.
©Reedy Creek Meeting Livestream
Chairman of the Board, Martin Garcia, said, “Since Disney sued us — yes, we didn’t sue Disney. Disney sued us. We ha[ve] no choice now but to respond. This is why we called today’s meeting, to authorize legal action in response to Disney’s federal lawsuit. This district will seek justice in state court here in central Florida where both it and Disney reside and do business. Yes, we’ll seek justice in our own backyard.”
©Reedy Creek Meeting Livestream
Garcia continued, “And so with those comments, I’d like to make a motion to authorize a state court lawsuit to be filed by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts USA, Inc. and such other parties as may be needed to uphold and enforce the board’s April 26th, 2023 legislative findings relating to the February 8th, 2023 development agreement and declaration of restrictive covenants, and to have that litigation counsel defend the board of supervisors and the district administrator sued in their official capacities by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts USA, Inc. in federal court on April 26th, 2023.”
Reedy Creek Building
As of now, no lawsuit has actually been filed, and Disney has not yet commented on this announcement, but we’re keeping an eye out. In the meantime, Governor DeSantis shared his thoughts on the matter at length when asked about it at an event on May 1st.
“So first of all, no corporation is above the law and the people of this state. It is wrong for one corporation to basically corrupt the local government, run it as their own fiefdom, be exempt from laws, have all kinds of benefits that nobody else has…and yes, I mean, I think it’s been very disappointing to watch this particular company, what they’ve done by advocating things like the sexualization of children, very close relationship with the Chinese Communist Party…you know that’s all very problematic,” DeSantis said.
Obtained via ClickOrlando Livestream
He continued, saying that “it’s a question about good governance,” and that Disney should not be able to govern themselves. According to him, that’s why Disney created the development agreements the new Board has declared invalid.
“So we had the debate…and now we’re implementing the will of the people. And for them to act like they have the ability to veto that basically is putting their thumb…is putting their thumb in the eye of the voters of the state,” DeSantis said.
via Twitter
But, he also claims to have no idea that the Board was planning on suing Disney. “…I think what the board is doing — and I didn’t know, I saw the report I didn’t know — that [the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors] were necessarily doing that, but I think what they’re going to do is just say here’s why it’s invalid.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline
DeSantis also anticipates the Florida Legislature will pass a bill — which he has already committed to signing — that will revoke the development agreements “from the legislative perspective.”
“Basically, all [the Board] is trying to do is uphold the will of the people in terms of what we did to make sure that nobody’s governing themselves as a major corporation. I think that that’s where that will end up going and I think that that will be something that will be successful in terms of the state of Florida’s position on it because there’s just so much background law in our favor on this that they weren’t doing this stuff willy-nilly — they knew what they were doing,” said the governor.
DeSantis
You can watch the full speech here. This is a developing story, so check back with us for the latest news.
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Excellent
The relentless Ronnie DeSatan will only be stopped by the landslide primary he LOSES.
DeSantis and his crew are a bunch of losers, so this is all they can try to do, and they’ll lose for real because they’re the ones who violated Disney’s constitutional rights!!
🙄🤪🥴!!!!!!!
The will of what people? He keeps saying “the will of the people” and “the will of the voters”. Did Florida have some kind of special election where the residents said Yes, retaliate against Disney.? I think this is the will of the Governor and has nothing to do with the will of the people.
What will of the people? What voters are they going against? This issue has never been in a ballot box.
He is not representing the will of the people, as he repeatedly spews out. He’s on a personal vendetta because they voiced their opinion and it went against his fascist agenda.
Sexualization of children? Association with the Communist Party? The will of what people? Feels like a thumb in MY eye! DeSantis is running his own fiefdom, exempting himself from laws, and giving himself benefits that others do not have. Now he doesn’t have to resign to run for president nor does he have to make his travel expenditures available to the public. What next? Will he be governor AND president at the same time? Am I angry? You bet!
The only thing I have to say is Desantis keeps saying “the will of the people”, but it wasn’t the “will of the people who started a campaign to topple WDW. It was plain and simple Desantis. It was not the “will of the people” who reacted to Chapek’s statement, it was Desantis. Thing is, it’s no secret that this is a clear campaign to topple WDW started and led by Desantis. You can literally follow this whole thing from the beginning to see how clear that is. What I don’t really understand is DeSantis speaks of rights for Americans, but how can Chapek make a statement, freedom of speech, an American right, and then because his statement didn’t side with DeSantis, Desantis went after WDW. Punish for speaking out. Guess he’s not truly a supporter for constitutional rights. I wonder, would any of this have ever even happened if Chapek would have supported DeSantis in this. I think that answer is plain to see.
One more thing, DeSantis said WDW stuck “a thumb in the eyes of the voters”. Does he mean the voters who believe in freedom of speech? Does he mean voters who believe they should be able to exercise their constitutional rights without retaliation from politicians? Does he mean voters who expect him to uphold his support for the constitution despite his pride and ego. Come on man! Come on DeSantis, don’t be a coward! Just say WDW (really Chapek) made you mad for not siding with you and speaking out against you. I know, I know, some of you will say WDW don’t speak out against DeSantis, but yes, Chapek did. When you make a public statement that doesn’t agree with DeSantis agenda, he takes it VERY, VERY personally. As we have clearly seen. Oh well, in the end, it doesn’t stop us from making memories that last a lifetime, DeSantis will fall to the wayside. He’s a blip in time. WDW was here before him and be here long after him.
Big talk from a little man with a big ego and little argument. Pure culture war political retaliation against Disney for exercising free speech. Take a good look. DeSantis is showing you what he really is, and America doesn’t need more of that sophomoric nonsense.
The more Ronny talks, the more evidence he gives that he has a personal vendetta against WDW for not agreeing with one of his policies. And the more that businesses large and small will wonder if he’ll send the wrath of the U.S. government against them if they disagree with him if he becomes president.
De Santis calls Disney s “fiefdom” but he runs Florida like a dictatorship. I guess “the people” don’t get a say in the governance process.
This is the most ludicrous, juvenile and ridiculous waste of political and business time. Are there no more important agendas on Florida’s slate? Florida, your governor has an ego the size of Alaska. When all is said and done though, I’m pretty sure Disney will make mincemeat of your governor.
One day DeSantis will be gone and Disney will remain. He’s not the best person to serve your needs and those of your state. Disney contributes a lot of money to the financial health of your state. Who do you think would pick up the slack if they scaled down their businesses or even closed shop and moved? As it stands, they’ve already put off moving corporate from California to Florida. Make your decisions wisely Florida voters.
DeSantis has exactly ONE thing right in all of his blather (lord, but that man loves the sound of his own voice). Children should not be sexualized. That’s exactly zero % of what this is all about, but he is correct there and I will give him that. However, he doesn’t seem to have a clue about the difference between sex and sexuality…and that every human being, including very young children, possesses the latter.
I am a Floridian and I can say that this man is an embarassment to our beautiful state. He has passed so many bad bills revoking the rights of so many people who live in our state and is taking us backwards in time and not moving us forward. I am thankful that I have NEVER voted for him nor will I ever even consider voting for him should he win the nomination for president. I wouldn’t even vote for him for dogcatcher!! LOL!! Can’t believe he dares to take on Disney. He’ll be long gone and Disney will still be here! The Disney Corporation is celebrating it’s 100th year as a company this year. Ron will just be a bad memory in Florida’s history!